ESPN Talks Early Season Struggles For Brent Pry and How It Has Affected His Hot Seat Status

After an 0-2 start, the heat is turning up on Brent Pry and Virginia Tech

Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry reacts with players after a fifty-six yard field goal against the South Carolina Gamecocks on the final play of the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

It is not going well in Blacksburg, VA.

After a solid first half and a 20-10 lead over Vanderbilt last Saturday, Virginia Tech allowed Vanderbilt to score 34 unanswered points and win 44-20 in Lane Stadium. The loss sends the Hokies to 0-2 and the speculation about Brent Pry's job is only going to get louder from here.

How hot is Pry's seat?

Jul 24, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry answers questions from the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Pry is undeniably on the hot seat and the 0-2 start has not made things better. In a recent view of the coaching landscape, ESPN's Andrea Adelson said this about Virginia Tech and Pry:

"Virginia Tech's Pry had an experienced team with high hopes in 2024, but the Hokies failed to meet expectations after a season-opening loss to Vanderbilt and finished 6-7. As a result, he made staff changes, hiring new offensive and defensive coordinators, and revamped his roster. Quarterback Kyron Drones remained a constant. Yet none of those changes appear to have Virginia Tech any closer to competing for a championship. The Hokies blew a 20-10 halftime lead to Vanderbilt, getting outscored 34-0 in the second half -- its worst scoring margin in any half at home in the history of Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech is now 0-2 for the second time in three seasons, and Pry is 16-23 since his arrival in 2022."

After the loss to Vanderbilt, Pry of course faced questions about his job and here is what he had to say about feeling the heat:

"I'm not. I tell the players to ignore the noise. The expectations here are to win. I'm not happy with where we are right now. Not from a wins standpoint. But I like this team. I'm still excited about what we can do.

The questions are going to continue swirling around Pry and his future. Up next for Virginia Tech are a pair of home games against Old Dominion and Wofford. How this team plays in those games could say a lot. Will the Hokies quit on the season or will they continue to fight?

If you want to be a glass half full person, Virginia Tech has not started ACC play and the next two games could get them going. Will they be able to turn things around? It does not look like it, but let's see how things play out on the field.

College football insider Bruce Feldman wrote Pry being on the hot seat in the preseason:

"Last year felt like the season where the former Penn State defensive coordinator would break through in Blacksburg. It didn’t happen. Getting hit by a run of injuries didn’t help, but going 0-5 in one-score games really stung. Pry, who is 16-21 in three seasons, is now 1-12 in games decided by seven points or less.

The Hokies are talented enough to compete with everyone in the ACC, and they pretty much have. They probably should’ve beaten Miami last year on the road. This season, Pry has two new coordinators (Philip Montgomery on offense, Sam Siefkes on defense) and a very experienced QB in Kyron Drones. The opener against South Carolina and Frank Beamer’s son, Shane, is tough, but Virginia Tech doesn’t play either of the ACC’s two Playoff teams from last year, Clemson and SMU. And Miami visits Blacksburg.

Seven wins might be enough to buy Pry another season, but the Hokies have to find a way to start winning close games. Sooner or later (preferably sooner for Pry’s sake), the ball has to start bouncing the Hokies’ way, right?"

Things are not going well in Blacksburg and the latest loss to Vanderbilt is not a good look for Pry.